THE TITANIC.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143772, 22 April 1912, Page 3

THE TITANIC.

LADY DUFF GORDON’S STORY.

THE LAST TRAGIC SCENE. “WE WILL GO DOWN LIKE GENTLEMEN.” •Iv Electric Telegrapli.—Copyright. (Received April 22, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, April 21. Lady Duff Gordon’s narrative of the Titanic disaster, as it appears in the Daily News, is as follows: f "I was asleep when the crash occurred, but had been previously watching the fields of ice. An officer pointed out one apparently a hundred feet high and several miles long. ■ I was awakened by a long grinding crash, and aroused Cosmo (her husband), and he ran to investigate.. He returned and said we had hit, a big berg. We adjusted our preservers and went on deck. There was no excitement. The ship listed slightly, but nobody dreamed she could sink. There was little alarm even wh.en the officers came running and announcing that the women and children must go to the boats, this being thought an ordinary precaution. Our boat was the twelfth or thirteenth launched, and contained five stokers, two Americans na necl Solomon and Stengel, two sailors, Cosmo and myself, and Miss Frank, who is an English girl. Numbers of men who were standing near joked with us because rye were going out on the ocean, saying, You’ll get your death oi cold out amid the ice.’

“We cruised around for two hours, and suddenly saw the Titanic give a curious shiver. There were no lights on the ship, except a few lanterns. We heard several pistol shots and a great screaming from tho decks. The Titanic’s stern was lifted in the ah’ with a tremendous explosion; then another explosion and the whole forward part went under,and the stern rose a hundred feet, like an enormous black finger against the sky. Little figures hung to the point of the finger and then dropped into tho water. The screaming was agonising; I never heard such a continued chorus of utter agony. A minute or two later the Titanic’s stern slowly disappeared, as though a great hand was pushing it gently under the waves.

“As she sank, the screaming of tho poor souls aboard seemed to grow louder. Wo were two hundred yards away, and watched her go down slowly, almost peacefully. For the moment there was an awful silence, then from the water where the Titanic had been arose a bedlam of shrieks and cries of men and women clinging to the wreckage in the icy water. It was at least an hour before the awful chorus of shrieks ceased, gradually dying into a moan of despair. The very last cry was a man’s. “My God, ray God,” was his monotonous cry, until it fell to a hopeless wail. “There was one iceberg, possibly tho one the Titanic struck, which seemed to pursue us. The rowers made frantic efforts to get past it. “At last morning came. On one side of us were icefloes and big bergs, while on the other side we were horrified to see a school of tremendous whales. We then caught sight of the Carpathia looming in the distance, heading straight for us. We were too numb with cold and horror to utter a sound. “There were more than fifty women who had lost their husbands, including fifteen brides.

“The gloom on the Carpathia was ghastly. I buried myself in a cabin and did not come on deck till New York was reached.”

SOME OTHER STORIES. A MILLIONAIRE’S DEATH. GALLANT POSTAL CLERKS. Mr. Lightoller, the second officer, states that though ice was reported he did not think an additional lookout was necessary. He heard the captain’s last command to put the women and children in the boats and lower away. Mr. Lightoller says, “Whenever X saw women I put them aboard, except tho stewardesses.” Alfred White, an oiler, said it was so black that the iceberg was difficult to see. They made coffee after the vessel struck. James Etches, a steward, assisted Mr. Guggenheim and his secretary to got dressed and put lifebelts and sweaters on. Ho afterwards found them in evening dress helping the women. Mr. Guggenheim said, “We will'go down like gentlemen. Tell my wife I tried to do my duty.” NEW YORK, April 21.

Survivors state that five postal clerks continued carrying two hundred sacks of registered mails to the upper deck until tho last. None were saved.

The Titanic’s crew, except those subpoenaed, sailed in tho Lapland, Interviewed, they state they had no boat drill during tho voyage. When the boats were being launched they believed they saw tho lights of fishing- smacks five miles away. Some boats xowed

desperately in that direction, but failed to find them.

The Hamburg-America and CanadianPacific linos have decided to provide lifeboats for all the passengers and crow. Tile subscriptions in Britain total £IOO,OOO, and in New York £20,000.

The steerage passengers included 120 from Marseilles.

BEN TILLETT’S STATEMENT. LONDON, April 21. Ben Idlott, on behalf of the Dock and Wharf Workers’ Union, has issued a manifesto protesting that the vicious class antagonism shown in the refusal to permit tho third-class passengers to bo saved was a disgrace to our common civilisation. Correspondents protest- that Ben Tillett’s foul insult was made in order to gain cheap notoriety. [Tho official statement published on Saturday was as follows; Tho Titanic’s complement of 2340 souls was made up as follows: First-class passengers 330 Second-class passengers ... 320 Third-class passengers ... 750 Officers and crew 940 Total 2340 Tho Carpathia rescued 210 first-class passengers, 125 second-class passengers, 200 third-class passengers, 4 officers, 39 seamen, 90 stewards, and 71 firemen, leaving 1395 peopjp unaccounted for. These figures fail to justify Air. Tillett’s statement. So far as can he gathered, women were put in the boats irrespective of class, and tho men of all classes took their chance. The enormous size of the ship, and the lack of organisation, made it impossible to make tho best use of all the boats.] THE VALUE OF SUPERSITITION. (Received April 22, 8.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, April 21. Superstition saved the life of Mrs. Fieon, a resident of Vancouver, who was visiting England. Reading in an almanack that a great sea disaster was likely to occur in the middle of April she refused to return, although her husband urged her to come aboard tho Titanic. The almanack referred to may be that of “Old Moore” which stated that there would be a great shipping disaster about the end of March. The disaster happened on April 14. ACTION BY SENATE COMMITTEE. (Received April 22, 8.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, April 21. The Senate Committee re-examined Mr. Ismay. The officers of tho Titanic gave evidence that she followed strictly the southernmost track for West bound steamers. She had encountered no ice previously to the disaster and was proceeding with vigilant lookouts at full speed hut reduced consumption of coal and was probably doing 21 or 22 knots. Mr. Lightoller, second officer, stated that when the first boat was lowered the deck was seventy feet above tho water and when the last went it was only a few feet. The Committee at first refused to allow Mr. Ismay or any of the officers or crew to return to England. Afterwards it was decided that Mr. Ismay, four of the officers and twelve of the crew should remain. Mr. Ismay interviewed said “Tho Committee is brutally unfair. My conscience is clear. I took tho opportunity to escape when it camo but did not seek it.” Mr. Ismay has instructed the 1-ners of the International Mercantile Marine Company to be equipped with lifeboats and rafts sufficient for all aboard. STORIES OF THE END. NEW YORK, April 19. The Senate enquiry has opened. Mr. Ismay stated that ho was asleep at tho time tho Titanic struck. The Titanic was not pushed to the speed limit, and averaged about 21 knots. He was only onco consulted by tho capl- - about tho vessel’s movements, when it was arranged not to attempt to reach New York before five o’clock on Wednesday morning. He only entered the boat when there was no response to the call for women. He loft about an hour after the collision. Ho believed that the vessel struck between tho bow and the bridge. Mr. Lightoller, second officer, maintained that his boat was well filled. Preference was given to the women. He accounted for the saving of the crow by stating that five out of every six picked up in the water were firemen and stewards. There was no demonstration on board, not even lamentation among those left behind. He dived as the vesel sank, and was sucked under. He was held fast against a blower, when a terrific gust through tho blower, due probably to a boiler explosion, blew him clear. He reached the surface near a boat. Three French survivors state that they -were playing cards when they heard a violent noise like the propellers racing. They saw ice rubbing the vessel’s side, and a tremendous list followed. There was a momentary panic, which speedily subsided, and confidence was restored. The captain said ; “Let everyone don a lifebelt. It is more prudent.” The band played popular airs to reassure the passengers. None wanted to go into the boats, believing that there was no risk in remaining aboard. Hence some boats had few passengers. Their boat rowed half a mile. The spectacle was fairylike, the Titanic illuminated and stationary, re-

scmbling a fantastic stage picture. Suddenly tho lights were extinguished. An immense clamour followed and tho air resounded with a supremo Cry for help and shrieks of anguish. Tho Titanic sank quietly. Tho suction was imperceptible, but there was d great backwash. After tho boats loft, a group of passengers was seen with difficulty launching tho collapsibles. They got in, but the boats gradually filled, and tho majority of those on board wore drowned or perished froom cold.

The crow showed sublime sacrifice. Much useless sacrifice would have been avoided but for a blind faith in the vessel’s unsinkahleness.

The sea was strewn with dead bodies. There are r.umours of atrocities by frenzied members of the crow, including the shooting of passengers in tho boats and tho braining of swimmers trying to enter the boats, but the majority of witnesses do not confirm these.

Tho last scenes presented an agonising array of horrors. As the ship split, her stern rose precipitously, and scores of people leaped overboard. Others scrambled madly upwards on the stern. As the incline steepened hundreds lost their footing and tobogganed downwards amidst pitiable shrieking. Hundreds who escaped the vortex clung to the wreckage and the rafts.

It is believed thai eight hundred people jumped as the vessel sank. Only the hardiest could stand the icy water. A few vigorous strokes and stiffened forms floated away.

The boat commanded by the purser was capsized by three women rushing to the side to say farewell to their relatives. It is believed that none of the thirty women on board survived.

A number of foreigmlts made an ugly rush, but Mr. Murdoch, the first officer, revolver in hand, said, “I’ll kill the first man that rushes.” Three rushed forward, and one dropped, shot through the head. Another had his jaw blown away, and'the quartermaster felled the third. THE CAPTAIN’S HEROISM. NEW YORK, April 20. Congress has adjourned as a token of respect. It is stated by survivors that the Titanic was steaming at 21 knots when she struck, according to instructions to keep up speed in order to break the first voyage record. All commend tho captain's horiosm. He was literally washed from his post. When the boats were clear of the ship the captain said, “Men, you have done your duty fully. You can do no more. It’s every man for himself.” Before the vessel sank, the captain megaphoned to the mass ou tho deck; “Bo British!” • Later, the captain was seen helping those struggling in the water. Ho refused an opportunity to save himsolf.

FUNDS FOR SURVIVORS.

LONDON. April 20. The women’s fund in aid of tho wreck survivors amounts to £7OOO.

The Mansion House Fund has reached £40,000, "and the Southampton fund £6200.

The White Star officials state that 1635 persons perished, and 705 were saved. Eighty-five of the latter are in the hospital. Seven nameless infants were rescued. One is suffering from scarlet fever, and another from meningitis. Several survivors are suffering from pneumonia.

A year-old child named Allison, son of a Montreal banker, is the sole survivor of a family of four. The House of Representatives has adopted a measure to provide for tho shelling of icebergs by warships as target practice, as well as to clear dangers from tho navigator’s path. The American Hydrographic Office has ordered tho lanes for Atlantic liners to be moved 180 miles to the southward of the Titanic’s track. Mr. Gracie declares that when he reached the surface he found the second officer and Theyer, a junior, swimming near him. One of the, funnels fell, scattering bodies in the water. Tho explosion blow the ship’s barber off the deck. When tho rafts were full several piteously begged for help, but tho crew for self-preservation, refused to permit more aboard. All on the raft prayed throughout the weary night. Mrs. Widoner, whose husband and son were drowned, states that she saw Captain Smith jump off the bridge into the sea. A moment previously she saw another officer commit suicide by putting a bullet through his brain.

The American newspapers pay a unanimous tribute to the valour and discipline of tho crew. They complain of the inadequate boat accommodation and of the Titanic being driven at twentyone knots an hour in a region of icebergs. One hundred and forty survivors of the wreck are in the hospital. Among the lost are Mr. Julian (the well-known metallurgical engineer, and managing director of the Vacuum Oil Company), the Rev. Mr. Carter and his wife (of St. Julius’ Church, Whitechapel). Bride, the wireless assistant, had both his feet injured. He bore testimony to Phillips’s courage. Bride trapped a lifebelt on Phillips while the latter was informing the Olympic of the sinking of the vessel. Water then entered the wireless room. A stoker attempted to remove Phillip’s belt, but Bride knocked him down. Phillips went aft to the bride and clung to it, but was washed overboard. NEW YORK, April 21. Many passengers retired to bed, convinced the ship would not sink. Others stood on the rail ridiculing as landlubbers those taking to the boats. Phillips, the wireless operator, stuck to his post till the dynamo ceased and the water invaded his room. With Bride, his assistant, he was washed overboard. Bride was saved. The .survivors think that Mr. Aster

and Mr, Stoad reached a raft, but succumbed from cold and dropped off. Lady Gordon states that a few men rushed her boat. An officer drove them off, but one man persisting was shot dead. His body remained on the boat till the Carpathia picked her up.

Six Chinese hid under the of tho lifeboats prior to launching, and wore undetected.

The sea was dotted with people depending on lifebelts.

Another witness saw Phillips die on a raft from exposure.

Comtan, operator on tho Carpathia, states that Phillips’s last message was, “Come quickly; engineroom filling to the boilers.” The Countess Rothes, an expert oarswoman, practically commanded her boat. 'When she found thalj tho men could not row properly, several women took the place of the weak and unskilled stewards.

Philanthropic persons ’provided 210 of the crow with outfits.

Mr. Ismay was rescued in his slippers, pyjamas and overcoat, dazed with cold. Several narratives testify to his active assistance in filling., and lowering the boats. Charles Williams, the racquet champion, is among those rescued. MEMORIAL SERVICES. LONDON, April 19. The Lord Mayor, Members of the Cabinet, Sir William Hall-Jones, Ambassadors, shipping representatives, and 5000 others attended the memorial service at St. Paul’s and the Roman Catholic service at Westminster Cathedral. In numerous churches and chapels references were made to the disaster. The dead March was played and dumb peals rung. NEW YORK, April 19. Hundreds attended Mr. W. T. Stead’s memorial service in tho Carnegie Hall. (Received April 22, 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY,ApriI 22. Pulpit references were made to the Titanic disaster in all the leading churches. PASSENGERS’ STORIES. NEW YORK, April T 9. Lady Gordon states that she saw a man shot, and his body fell into her boat. Several were felled in attempting to rush the boats. Many quickly died of tho icy cold. The reported suicides of the captain and engineer emanated from a fomented passenger. President Hays was last seen farewclling tho passengers leaving. Tho Carpathian refusal to answer questions was duo to tho physical exhaustion of the wireless operator. AN EXPERT ON ICEBERGS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 22, , Captain Amundsen, interviewed with regard to the Titanic disaster, remarked that one account which said that the berg met with was one mile in length was surely exaggerated. More probably a line of bergs,was encountered that was a mile or so in length. Nor did it seem to him probable that very little of the berg could have been showing above wafer, ff one could depend upon the cablegrams, tons of ice had fallen on the deck sinking the liner, which was itself particularly high out of the water. It was exceptionally early in tho year to meet icebergs oft the coast of Newfoundland. Ho could only account for their presence if there bad been an abnormally heavy wind in tho north for several weeks previous to the disaster. Questioned as to tho facilities for ascertaining that icebergs are m a given vicinity Captain Amundsen declined to say much on tho point. One method was to take the temperature regularly. One thing was certain, when the inquiry concluded it would be found that captain and his officers had done their duty. THE USE OF BOATS. AUCKLAND, April 20. Mr. R. F. Bell, organiser of the British Sailors’ and Firemen’s Union, when interviewed by a reporter, said he was well acquainted with the builds and methods of working steamers of the Titanic class, and ho maintained that no matter if she carried sufficient boats to accommodate every passenger on board, it would bo impossible to utilise them in ease of a collision or a wreck ashore.

“These vessels do not sink on an even keel,” said Mr. Bell, “and therefore it would,only be possible in such case’ to use the boats on one side of the ship. Then the boat-decks do not afford sufficient space to accommodate anything like the full complement'of passengers at once. As for third-class passengers and members of the crew, they would never find their way to the boat-decks. These mammoth vescls are less like steamers than floating hotels, and they would be probably lost en route.” Asked as to what remedy he, would suggest, Mr. Bell said that the only thing to be done was to enlarge the passenger space on deck, and reduce the number of people carried. Regarding the cause of the disaster, Mr. Bell said that at the time of the year ft was regarded as safe to go further north than later in the season, when the icebergs would have commenced to break up and float south. The visitor also mentioned that it was possible for a man on the look-out to smell bergs many miles before they were encountered. He thought tho Titanic must have struck a very solid one.